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Kangaroo mother care (KMC) or the intervention where babies are placed in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers and exclusively breast fed has been recommended worldwide for stable low-birthweight new-borns. Stable babies are defined as babies who do not need respiratory support or intravenous fluids and can accept oral feeds. Though previous studies have shown that keeping the baby in contact with the mother improves survival in babies (less than 2 kg weight at birth) when compared to standard hospital care, global data show that barely 5% receive such care. Also, there is no much evidence on kangaroo mother care impact when initiated at homes in India.

To understand this, a team of researchers carried out a study in Haryana. The results recently published in The Lancet show that kangaroo mother care improved survival by 30% and 25% in babies till 28 days and six months of age, respectively. The paper adds that such care for all infants with low birthweight could substantially reduce neonatal and infant mortality.

About 97% of the world’s low-weight babies are born in developing countries, and India accounts for about 40% of this, implying an urgent need of effective interventions. Sarmila Mazumder, lead author of the study, says “In developing countries, even today, babies are born at home or even if born in hospitals, are discharged too soon without kangaroo mother care initiation. It is imperative therefore that such care is initiated at home.” 

For the study, over 8000 stable low-birthweight babies weighing less than 2.25 kg were enrolled from two districts in Haryana, during 2015-2018, and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Kangaroo mother care intervention was initiated at home, at an average age of 33 hours and delivered during the first month of life, through home visits. The enrolled babies were followed up at one, three and six months of age. 

Dr. Mazumder adds that kangaroo mother care benefits are much beyond preventing hypothermia. “The care improves exclusive breast feeding, duration of breast feeding, and also reduces infections. It also promotes growth and development of the child and increases mother child bonding, and also reduces stress in both mother and baby,” she explains.